Record file



Nov, 20, 1928. 1,692,231

H. P. THOMPSON RECORD FILE Filed Dec. 19, 1927 I Patented Nov. 20, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcs.

HARVEY P. THOMPSON, OF DES MOINES, IOWA.

RECORD FILE.

Application filed December 19, 1927. Serial 1%. 241,011.

The object of my invention is to provide an improvement in record files of simple, durable and inexpensive construction.

It is primarily my purpose to provide in a record file the combination with a case having dividers with means arranged for holding the dividers in spaced position in parallel planes, so that the upper edges of the dividers are conveniently spaced for access by the user.

Still another purpose is to provide such a structure having parts constructed and arranged so that the actuation of one divider by a forward movement of its upper end will serve to swing a plurality of other dividers forwardly fora limited distance, whereby the data at the upper parts of several dividers or between several dividers may be readily visible at one time. I

In this connection, it is my purpose to providea false bottom of novel construction,

dividers of novel construction, and a notched supporting rail for coacting with the dividers for accomplishing the purposes mentioned.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and/combination of the various parts of my record file, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter inore fully set forth, ointed out in my claims, and illustrated in t e accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a longitudinal, sectional view through a portion of a record file embodying my invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the false bottom illustrating one form in whichthe bottom maybe embodied.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one form of divider, which may be used with my device.

Figure4 is a perspective view of one of the rails.

Figure 5 is'a detail, sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a similar" view to' that shown in Figure 5, illustrating a modified form of my record file, and

Figure 7 is a transverse, sectional view.

similar to those illustrated in Figures 5 and turned flanges 12 and 12 6 0f a-slightly different form in which my invention may be embodied.

In my drawings filed herewith, I have used the reference numeral 10 to indicate generally a case or filing drawer, which may be used with my improved record file.

The case 10 has the usual bottom 10", and I have shown also the front wall 10. I preferably install in the case or drawer '10 a false bottom.. One form of this false bottom is indicated generally at A in Figure 2.

The false bottom comprises one or more plates 12, having at their side edges down- Each of the plates 12 with its flanges forms a bottom 55 7 section.

integrally by connecting the lower edges of the flanges 12 as shown in Figure 2, so that such flanges with their connecting portion 12 form an upwardly opening channel.

The sections of the bottom A are-provided in each plate 12 with a series of longitudinally'spaced, transversely elongated slots 14. The slots 14: are so arranged with relation to the ends of the plates 12 that the slots in each plate are aligned transversely with the slots in the other plates of each complete 7 unit.

In Figures 1, 2 and 5, I have illustrated a form of my record file in which two of the sections A, integrally connected as above explained are used. 7

The bottom A comprising two sections is placed in the case 10 as'illustrated for instance in Figuresl and 5.

I use in connection with my record file a plurality of dividers indicated generally by the character B, comprising in each instance a flat plate 16, and having one or more downwardly projecting extensions 16.

In the'form of device shown in Figures 1 and 5, the divider B has two of the downward extensions 16, which are of such size and shape as to be readily projected through a pair of transversely aligned slots 14 in the false bottom A. The extensions 16 are of such length that they do not touch the bottom 10.

In the form of the device shown in Figures 1 and 5, the dividers are provided in their lower edges with central notches or slots 16, extending upwardly for a substantial distance as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 5.

In the form of the device shown in the figures last mentioned,'I use a notched rail C in the form of a flat plate 18, having in its upper edge a series of regular notches 18. The rail C serves in the form of device shown in Figures 1 and 5 as a means for separating the case 10 into two compartments, and also serves another purpose, which will be mentioned below.

The rail C has its lower edge seated in the space between the flanges 12 of the sections of the bottom A. The slots 16 are of such length that when the parts are assembled as shown in Figure 1, and the dividers are swung rearwardly, the material at the upper ends of the slots 16 will engage in respective notches, 18 of the rail C, as shown at the left-hand part of Figure 1, in such manner that the dividers B are held in spaced parallel planes by means of the engagement of the extensions 16 in the notches 14, and the en-- gagement of the plates 16 with the notches 18 of the rail C.

There is a great advantage in such-a structure in that the upper edges of the dividers D will always be separated asuiticient distance so that they may be readily accessible for being moved.

The extensions 16 are of such length and the slots .14 in each false bottom section are so spaced, that the extensions 16 perform an important function in addition to that of entering the slots 14 for holding the dividers.

properly spaced at their lower parts.

Assuming that the dividers are resting in their normal positions inclined from the lower edges upwardly and rearwardly, then it will be observed that when one of the dividers is swung forwardly fro-m its upper edge, the extension 16 will during such swinging movement of the divider under consideration engage the extension of the next rearward divider and cause it to swing forwardly a certain distance. The extensions 16- of a plurality of the dividers will successively engage the extensions'16 of the next rearward dividers, thus swinging several of the dividers forwardly as illustrated in Figure 1. The number of dividers thus affected will be determined by the spacing of the slots 14 and the length of the extensions 16 This structure and the function thus resulting has the advantage of enabling the user of the record file to swing one of the dividers forwardly and thus actuate several of the dividers for limited forward swinging movement, whereby the data at the upper ends of several of the dividers or data upon documents or the like between such dividers at the upper parts thereof is made readily visible.-

This is of considerable importance for instance in the keeping of the records of dentists, doctors and others who may want to check through their record cards for patients rapidly, and also it is of importance where records pertaining to certain transactions are kept between several successive dividers and may be made simultaneously visible.

In Figure 6, I have shown another form in which my invention may be embodied.

In Figure 6, I have showna case 20, similar, except as to size, to the case 10. In the case 20 is installed a false bottom A comprising a fiat plate 22 provided at its side edges with upwardly opening, downwardly projected channels 22, in which are received the lower edges of rails G, similar to that already described.

In the form of device shown in Figure 6', I provide dividers B comprising the plates 24, having the notches 24 cut from their lower edges and at their side edges to receive the rails C. The plate 22 has spaced rows of notches to receive downward extensions 24 on the dividers B In Figure 7, I have shown a type of record file in which three rows of dividers are ar ranged in a case,'and the construction and function of the extensions, such as 16 are retained, but the function of the rail C as heretofore explained, so far as it serves to limit the swinging movement of the dividers, is done away with.

In the device shown in Figure 7, I have shown a wider case in which is installed a false bottom A similar to the false bottom A, except that it has three sections integrally connected together, as are the two sections of the false bottom A. I have indicated the sections in Figure 7 at 42, 44 and 46.

Between the sections 42 and 44 and 44 and 46 respectively are the channels 42 and 44, in which are received the lower edges of plates or the like 48, by which the case 40 is divided into three compartments.

In each compartment, I arrange dividers B which are similar to the dividers I3, ex-

cept that they have no slots 16 and have only one central, downward extension 50.

In a device like that shown in Figure 5, the case is divided into two compartments, but when a divider in one compartment is moved, it is of course moved integrally with the corresponding divider in the other compartment. There are certain transactions which it is desirable to keep in compartments arranged side by side, and for such transactions the form of device shown in Figure 5 is peculiarly adaptable.

The device shown in Figure 6 is convenient for letters or longer sheets.

The device shown in Figure 7 is peculiarly the slots and in combination with the-peculiar arrangement of slots form a convenient means for pivoting the dividers in place.

As will be seen, a portion (of my invention may be used without the use of the notched rail C, the notched feature and the coaction between the notches in the dividers being omitted from the device shown in Figure 7 Other modifications of my invention may be made without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims any changes in structure or use of mechanical equivalents, which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a record file, a case having a bottom,

I a plurality of divider members, means for pivotally supporting the. divider members above the bottom of the case, said divider members having downward extensions and being pivoted at such distances from each other that the swinging ofone divider member causes its extension to an age the extension of the next divider mem er for moving such next divider member.

2. In a record file, a case having a bot-, tom, a plurality of divider members, means for pivotally supporting the divider members above the bottom of the case, said divider members having downward extensions and being pivoted at such distances from each other that the swinging of one divider member causes its extension to engage the extension of the next divider memberfor moving such next divder member, and means for limiting the swinging move ment of the divider members away from the vertical, whereby when the divider members are so swung away from the vertical they will lie in parallel planes.

3. In a structure of the kind described, the combination of a case with a raised false bottom therefor having a plurality. of regularly spaced slots, divider members having exten sions at their lower ends projecting through said slots, the slots being so spaced and the extensions being of such length that the swinging of a divider member over center causes its extension to engage the extension of the next divider member for causing swinging movement of such next divider member.

4. In a structure of the kind described, the combination of a case with a raised false bottom therefor having a plurality of regularly spaced slots, divider members having extensions at their lower ends projecting through said slots, the slots being so spaced and the extensions bein of such length that the swinging of a divi er member over center causes its extension to en age the extension of the next divider mem er for causing swinging movement of such next divider member, and means for limiting the swinging movement of the divider members away from the vertical to inclined positions in parallel planes.

5. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a case with a raised false bottom therefor having a plurality of regularly spacedslots, divider members having extensions at their lower ends projecting through said slots, the slots being so spaced and the extensions being of such length that the swinging of a divider member over center causes its extension to engage the extension of the next divider member for causing swin ing movement of such next divider engage the notches of said plate for limiting the swinging movement of the dividers.

7. In a structure of the class described, a case, a false bottom therefor having a plurality of slots, divider plates having downward extensions received in said slots, each plate having at its lower edge a notch, and anupright rail extending into said notch.

8. In a structure of the class described, a case, a false bottom therefor having a plurality of slots, divider plates having downward extensions received in said slots, each plate having at its lower edge a notch,-and an upright rail extending into said notch, and having a notched upper edge.

Des Moines, Iowa, December 12, 1927.

HARVEY P. THOMPSON. 

